Abundance (2026) — A Study of Excess
ABUNDANCE (2026)
Oil on canvas, 11.8 × 15.7 in / 30 × 40 cm
Abundance is an exploration of consumption, excess, and the hidden cost of modern food systems, particularly industrial fishing practices that contribute to the depletion, and in some cases extinction, of marine populations. The work reflects on the tension between what is visually celebrated as abundance and what is materially extracted, overused, and discarded to sustain it.
ABUNDANCE (2026) |Oil on canvas | 11.8 × 15.7 in / 30 × 40 cm
At first glance, the painting presents a vibrant accumulation of colour and form, drawing on the visual richness of fish markets and early morning stalls. The arrangement of tropical fish and shellfish creates a seductive surface of density and variety, echoing the aesthetic appeal of excess.
However, beneath this visual richness lies a more uneasy reading, one that points to overconsumption, environmental strain, and the fragility of marine ecosystems under the pressure of human demand.
The work considers how abundance is constructed and perceived: how beauty and attraction can obscure systems of depletion. What appears celebratory and full is also entangled with loss, imbalance, and ecological pressure. In this way, Abundance holds two readings in tension—the immediate pleasure of colour and materiality, and the quieter awareness of what is being consumed to produce that image.
Process
The painting began with a raw umber underpainting, establishing tonal structure and compositional depth. This foundation allowed the forms to emerge gradually through layered development rather than immediate colour.
Pearl oysters were developed first, their surfaces built with controlled tonal variation to establish a quieter counterpoint within the composition. The tropical fish were then introduced using thicker, more expressive brushwork, creating contrast through movement, density, and texture.
Once the initial layers had dried, glazes and shadows were applied to refine detail, deepen contrast, and unify the composition. This final stage enhanced both luminosity and depth, reinforcing the tension between surface beauty and underlying complexity.
Displaying And Sharing My Work
ABUNDANCE is part of my portfolio of original artwork, alongside other narrative-driven still-life and illustrative pieces. To explore more, visit my Portfolio
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